Variability of characteristics of Sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl) seedlings from the Area of Outstanding Natural Landscape "Avala"

Abstract

The research of the variability within the population based on morphometric characteristics of seedlings had been conducted to preserve the available gene pool of the Sessile oak population located in the Area of Outstanding Natural Landscape (AONL) "Avala" and the controlled use of the genetic resources. Fifty best-quality trees based on the phenotypic characteristics, the carriers of the Sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl) reproductive material production were selected at the population level. Approximately 3 kg of apparently healthy and undamaged acorns were collected from each tree, separated by mother trees, and used for seedling production in the nursery under uniform environmental conditions. The root collar diameter and the height of the randomly selected 50 seedlings per half-sib line were measured at the end of the first growing season, and the sturdiness quotient was calculated based on the measured values. The obtained mean values of the morphometric characteristics indicate a high variability among the tested genotypes. This is also confirmed by the analysis of variance which determined statistically significant differences between the analyzed half-sib lines for all observed morphometric characteristics. The obtained results represent a good starting point for future research on breeding, long-term preservation, and improvement of the ecological adaptability and evolutionary potential of the Sessile oak population by applying adequate in-situ and ex-situ conservation measures. Based on the research results, it can be recommended to use this important species for reintroduction in optimal microclimatic conditions, as well as for the selection of the best individuals for reintroduction.